Frequently Asked Questions

Please take a few minutes to read some of our frequently asked questions. We may have the solution to one of your problems right here!

Click on any of the questions below to find answers to the most common questions our customers ask about our company, our products and services. In addition, you can visit our "learning center" where you'll discover all sorts of information you may find useful. If you have a specific question you can either call us at (630) 206-1177 or contact us now.

Does Perma-Seal offer any kind of warranties?

We offer the best warranties in the industry, so can have peace of mind knowing that you've made a good decision when choosing us for your basement waterproofing, foundation repair, crawl space encapsulation, sewer line repair, or plumbing work. All of our warranties are clear, written out, and fully transferable to any new owners, which adds true value to your home. Perma-Seal guarantees that any product or scope of work that carries a warranty will be serviced free of charge for the entire warranty time frame.

I have an orange colored residue in my sump pit and on my basement floor, what is that?

Iron occurs naturally in some soils and when it becomes waterborne, it will show up in the sump pit in an orange color. Iron ochre is a condition where the iron concentration is so high that it becomes gelatinous and requires specialized treatment. Ask your Perma-Seal consultant for expert advice.

Do I have to remove my paneling or drywall in order to get an estimate of repairs?

No, although the more the consultant can see, the more definitive the estimate will be; so if you can easily remove the wall covering before he arrives, it is worth the effort.

Why should I get my leaky basement repaired?

A leaky basement can cause a variety of problems if left untreated. Most important, mold and other dangerous bacteria grow in wet environments. Guess what? Those nasty mold spores don't stay in the basement, they will migrate right up into your upstairs living space. This could cause your family to have allergy and sinus issues, or even worse, get sick. Also, water problems are erosive and won't magically disappear; they can, and will, get worse. Water in your basement can be as devastating as a fire and can damage your belongings, including photo albums, furniture and keepsakes.

What can I do while I’m waiting for the repair?

Protect your belongings, move things to higher ground. Roll carpet back and contain the seepage area with towels or newspapers. Make sure downspouts are extended away from the foundation. Be sure your sump pump is working and the discharge line is not obstructed or frozen.

I'm selling my home. Do I still need to get a waterproofing system installed?

A wet basement can lower the value of your home and means a loss of valuable living and storage space. You will have to repair that leaky basement when you sell the house or you must disclose the problem, which could turn away potential buyers.

Do I need a waterproofing contractor to solve my basement water issues? Can I just go pick up supplies at the hardware store and do the work myself?

There are numerous ways to patch basement leaks, but only a few proven methods of permanently repairing them. The difference in cost between a temporary patch and a permanent repair is relatively minor in most cases, especially when weighed against the damages incurred when a patch fails during a heavy rainstorms in a newly remodeled basement. Occasionally, the seller of a home believes that a temporary repair is good enough to get him through the sale, but when we point out that our lifetime transferable warranty increases the value of his home, he usually realizes that a permanent repair is the wiser investment.

There is white stuff on my basement walls. What is it?

This is known as basement efflorescence. This is mineral deposits that are left behind when moisture dries and crystallizes. Excess moisture or active leaks can cause many problems for your home, and the issue will get worse with time, so we recommend that you have your basement inspected by one of our trained professionals so we can provide you with a permanent repair to KEEP your basement dry.

My Chimney is leaking. Can you fix this?

Chimneys can leak above or below ground. If you perform a water test by soaking the ground for 1-2 hours and notice a leak, that is something we can fix. If the leak is above ground, call a mason to inspect the chimney.

My house is built on a slab, but after a hard rain storm I've noticed water in my heat ducts; what can be done?

This is a serious problem that, if left untreated, can cause severe consequences for your home and it can create health problems for your family. This is a problem that Perma-Seal can help you with.

Do you re-mediate mold?

We do not perform remediation or removal of mold. If you have active mold in your crawl space, immediately contact a mold remediation company to get rid of it and avoid the dangerous risks of living with mold and other harmful bacteria. Just as important though, you must resolve any active leaks in the area, or the mold will grow back. The first step is to install a drainage system if necessary and an encapsulation system to clean up the air and turn your crawl space into a dry, usable space. Then, once there are no more active leaks, we can install a professional SaniDry dehumidifier to make the air drier, smell better and feel more comfortable.